Meaning
The kanji 妻 primarily means 'wife'. It refers to a female spouse, the woman to whom a man is married. This core meaning has remained consistent throughout its long history in East Asian languages, including Japanese. In Japanese, it is the most direct and common kanji used to denote one's own wife.
The kanji 妻's origin is quite intriguing, reflecting ancient societal roles. It is believed to have originated as a pictograph or an ideograph. The top part of the kanji, often resembling a broom or a hair accessory, has been interpreted in various ways. One common theory suggests the top component depicts a woman's adorned hair or a hairpin, symbolizing her status as a married woman. Another interpretation suggests it represents a broom, symbolizing the woman's role in managing the household and domestic duties. The lower part is the radical 女 (woman), which clearly anchors the meaning to a female. Thus, the visual shape subtly conveys the image of a woman associated with the specific role or status of a wife, either through her appearance or her household responsibilities. Understanding this connection can make the kanji more memorable.
The kanji 妻 has 10 strokes. It is taught in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary school (小学校3年生), highlighting its foundational importance in the Japanese language curriculum. It is designated as an N3 kanji for the JLPT, making it a common and necessary character for intermediate learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 妻 is サイ. This reading is typically used when 妻 appears as part of a compound word, often alongside other kanji to form more formal or specific terms related to marriage and spousal roles. Although less common when 妻 stands alone, mastering this reading is crucial for understanding many vocabulary items.
- 夫妻 (fusai) — husband and wife, a married couple. This compound is frequently used in formal contexts or when generally referring to a married couple, for example, 田中夫妻 (Tanaka fusai - Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka).
- 正妻 (seisai) — legal wife, legitimate wife. This term is used to distinguish the officially married spouse from others (e.g., concubines in historical contexts).
- 愛妻 (aisai) — beloved wife. This term conveys affection for one's wife, as in 愛妻家 (aisai-ka - devoted husband).
- 妻帯 (saitai) — marriage, being married; having a wife. This is a more formal or archaic term, often seen in legal or historical texts, such as 妻帯者 (saitaisha - married man).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) for 妻 are つま and め. These readings are typically used when the kanji stands alone or is followed by okurigana (送り仮名), which are kana characters appended to the end of a kanji root.
- 妻 (tsuma) — wife. This is the most common and direct reading for 'wife' when referring to one's own wife in everyday conversation. It is a neutral term, neither particularly humble nor overly polite.
- 人妻 (hitozuma) — someone else's wife. Here, 妻 takes the づま sound due to rendaku (連濁), a sound change phenomenon.
- 糟糠の妻 (sōkō no tsuma) — a wife of one's youth or poverty; a faithful wife who has endured hardships with her husband from their early days. This is a well-known idiom.
- 新妻 (niizuma) — new wife, newlywed wife. Another example of rendaku, often used to describe a recently married woman.
- 妻 (me) — wife. This reading is much rarer than つま, being largely archaic or poetic. It appears in classical literature, specific compounds, or personal names, and is not commonly encountered as a standalone word for 'wife' in modern Japanese.
- 古妻 (furume) — old wife (archaic, poetic). This example, meaning 'old wife,' illustrates the rare usage of the め reading, often with a poetic nuance.
Common Words & Compounds
Here are over 10 common words and compounds using the kanji 妻, organized by theme:
General Terms for Wife/Marriage
- 妻 (tsuma) — wife (my wife)
- 夫妻 (fusai) — husband and wife, a married couple
- 新妻 (niizuma) — new wife, newlywed wife
- 人妻 (hitozuma) — someone else's wife
- 愛妻 (aisai) — beloved wife
- 亡妻 (bōsai) — deceased wife
- 正妻 (seisai) — legal wife, legitimate wife
Descriptive Terms and Idioms
- 良妻賢母 (ryōsai kenbo) — good wife, wise mother (an ideal for women in traditional Japanese society)
- 糟糠の妻 (sōkō no tsuma) — wife of one's youth/poverty; a faithful wife who has stood by her husband through thick and thin
- 愚妻 (gusai) — my foolish wife (a humble or self-deprecating term for one's own wife, though increasingly less common in modern usage due to its potentially negative connotations)
Formal/Specialized Terms
- 妻帯 (saitai) — marriage, being married (often used in legal or religious contexts, e.g., 妻帯者 - married man)
- 妻妾 (saishō) — wife and concubine (historical term)
Example Sentences
私の妻は毎日、美味しい朝食を作ってくれます。
Watashi no tsuma wa mainichi, oishii chōshoku o tsukutte kuremasu.
My wife makes delicious breakfast every day.
彼は妻と出会ってから、人生が変わったと言っていました。
Kare wa tsuma to deatte kara, jinsei ga kawatta to itte imashita.
He said his life changed after meeting his wife.
田中夫妻は今年で結婚30周年を迎えます。
Tanaka fusai wa kotoshi de kekkon sanjū shūnen o mukaemasu.
Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year.
新妻さんの手料理は、本当に絶品でした。
Niizuma-san no teryōri wa, hontō ni zeppin deshita.
The new wife's home cooking was truly exquisite.
仕事で疲れて帰った時、妻の笑顔が私を癒してくれます。
Shigoto de tsukarete kaetta toki, tsuma no egao ga watashi o iyashite kuremasu.
When I come home tired from work, my wife's smile heals me.
彼は妻のために、毎日花を贈ることを欠かしません。
Kare wa tsuma no tame ni, mainichi hana o okuru koto o kakashimasen.
He never fails to give flowers to his wife every day.
良妻賢母という言葉は、昔の日本における女性の理想像でした。
Ryōsai kenbo to iu kotoba wa, mukashi no Nihon ni okeru josei no risōzō deshita.
The phrase "good wife, wise mother" was the ideal image for women in old Japan.
彼は多忙な仕事にもかかわらず、愛妻と過す時間を大切にしています。
Kare wa tabō na shigoto ni mo kakawarazu, aisai to sugosu jikan o taisetsu ni shite imasu.
Despite his busy work, he cherishes the time he spends with his beloved wife.
糟糠の妻を捨てるべきではないという教訓は、今も生きています。
Sōkō no tsuma o suteru beki de wa nai to iu kyōkun wa, ima mo ikite imasu.
The lesson that one should not abandon a wife who has suffered with you is still relevant today.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 妻 (wife), you can break it down into its components and create a simple visual story or mnemonic. The lower part is clearly 女 (woman). The top part can be imagined as a stylized representation of a woman's adorned hair or a decorative hairpin, signifying her status as a married woman. Alternatively, some interpret the top part as a broom, symbolizing the traditional role of a wife managing the household. Picture a woman (女) wearing an elegant hairpin (top part) that signifies her status as a wife. Or, visualize a woman (女) holding a broom (top part), diligently performing her duties as a wife. Either image can help you connect the visual form to the meaning, making it easier to recall.